Submitted photo This artwork featuring the Columbiana K-9 unit was completed in 2019 by Sheryl Lanzenby.

COLUMBIANA– This weekend the Main Street through the city will once again become a live work of art.

The Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the popular Chalk Art Festival, and this year’s event will include art from more than 20 artists.

The city held its first Chalk Art Festival in 2019.

“The first year was awesome and a great learning experience,” chamber member and Paws on Main owner Dani Edgerton said.

Edgerton said this year’s festival will feature five professional artists and at least 22 other registered artists.

The free event is scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Artwork will be able to be viewed until 5 p.m. Sunday. Main Street will be closed to traffic during the entirety of the event.

Professional chalk artist Jennifer Chaparro said that watching art come to life is considered a performance art and has an immediacy that gives every piece a uniqueness that can never be truly duplicated.

“The light and surface elements are constantly changing, making the art a constantly evolving entity,” she said.

While artwork featured along the gallery set up on Main Street is done by registered artists, the public is welcome to participate as well.

“We are looking forward to involving as many of the people who attend as possible,” Edgerton said.

The public will be invited to participate in either collaborative or individual artwork that will be featured on the sidewalk or the street.

“I think the best part of the event will be the opportunity to watch as art is being created and adapted for our Main Street,” Edgerton said.

The event is part of the Chamber’s First Friday Block Party series and will also include a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA).

Food vendors and a DJ will also be available and children are welcome to participate in their own chalk art, dance to the music or watch their parents participate in creating Main Street an “explosion of color.”

Amateur and youth artists will compete for cash prizes and gift certificates.

The festival isn’t just for people either, with dogs invited to participate in art activities as well, according to the chamber.

“We are really happy to see the Chalk on Main event back this year,” City Manager Lance Willard said. “We hope everyone comes out to see the fabulous works of art.”

Also during the festival a winner will be selected for the Vehicle for a Veteran giveaway, with the winner selected by the mayor of the sister city Columbiana, Alabama.

The vehicle giveaway is sponsored by Boardman Nissan.